BlackBerry Torch 9850

The wisest of the wise? ya made my day with that remark. Coming from the guy who was my "teacher." Hawk I have to reply to your post on the iphone forum and will do so in short order. You've provided me with a great deal of alternatives regarding the other platforms.

Funny, you mentioned the original Storm keys. I, too, preferred them to the Storm2....more travel and consistency. I tried the 9850 and was disappointed in the form factor and material components. When you become accustomed to metal & glass, its almost feels like going from an Infiniti to a Kia. No offense to Kia owners but its not my style.

You made mention of the email client. I am virtually a "prisoner" to pushed email. My business is committed to real time communication using AOL. I have thousands of customers and dozens of suppliers who have that address on my business cards over the years. I cannot afford the disclaimer put out at VZN regarding Android devices & the Iphone that mail will come in 5-15 minutes after transmission. I do, however have one option favorable to my situation. I carry two handsets at all times.

We need not discuss the spec limitations on BB OS designs. They are well documented. So, in my case, the Storm2 which is near universally slammed by everyone, is not so bad a deal. I have that rich component form factor, sure-press which I work with pin-point accuracy, and a "loaded device, set up the way I wanted it to be. Also, QuickLaunch saves time with direction and response. Sure the 12 minute reboots and the glitch-day illogical behavior drives me crazy at times. I still curse it out in 7 languages. The email, however, flows seamlessly.

I will, however pick up a main navigation device for the other venues... web browsing, productivity, picture taking, flexibility and stability. Iphone has two game breakers for me. The non-replaceable battery (can't carry a tether device or an ac outlet in my pocket). The other is that 3.5" screen. Maybe its me, but I look at the device constantly. I want the best experience possible with the highest resolution. Its sure looks more vivid and satifyingwith a 4.3" real estate pad. I will probably wait out the Samsung Stratosphere with the hard qwerty in favor of the future release of the HTC Vigor. Unbelievable numbers that will eclipse the Moto Bionic. Gmail can also be a plan B for me with future contacts. This will be introduced soon as the HTC Thunderbolt2. Of course I can alleviate my stress with software virtual keyboards by using Swype, which I've heard is fabulous and much faster than the hunt & peck for texting.

If you stay with the "fruit," I wish the best to you with it. I see your reasoning behind that choice, especially with your use of Mac platforms.

So for now, I hope to be continuing as the StormSurvivor. For all the detractors out there.....call me a masochist or whatever, but I still love my Drip2, I mean Storm2!!!